But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:2-3)

The reaction of Paul is our reaction when trouble starts, right? We stick around and fight. Hopefully, this is indeed our reaction when truth is what we are contending for. We see the same pattern from our reading in Nehemiah. Nehemiah faced opposition so he said, “build the wall.”

Adversity will come, as Paul says to the residents of Derbe, but how do we handle adversity? Hopefully what we are doing is being directed by God, and if so, is worth all the adversity that will lead to the praise of God’s name. We have an unstoppable hope in Jesus. Not only can Jesus walk on water (our Matthew reading) but he can even raise the dead. What can man do to us? We serve an unstoppable God, let serve him without ceasing.